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This study investigated the effectiveness of Turmeric Powder (TP) as a dietary supplement on the performance and immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 288, 1 day old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were
randomly assigned to eight groups with six replicates each. Turmeric powder was added to the basal diet at 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 g kg-1 feed and there were two control groups (positive and negative). The Body Weight (BW), Daily Feed Intake (DFI) and titers of antibodies specific for NDV, IBV and IBDV were measured weekly during the experiment. The relative weights of the lymphoid organs were measured in chickens at 21 and 42 days of age. The control groups performed significantly better than the treated chickens on all measurements during the experiment (p≤0.05). The chickens fed 20 g kg-1 of TP had significantly lower BWs after 42 days than the controls and those administered lower levels of TP (10 and 12 g kg-1 (p≤0.05)) and similar results were observed for Daily Weight Gain (DWG) after 42 days. Moreover, the DFI significantly decreased in chickens fed 18 and 20 g kg-1 of TP in the 0-21 and 0-42 days phases in comparison with the controls (p≤0.05). However, the other treated groups showed no significant differences in the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) (p≥0.05). The chickens fed TP did not significantly differ from the positive controls in terms of NDV or IBV-specific antibody titers in the post-vaccination periods (p≥0.05) except at the 3rd and 4th weeks for IBV. Additionally, at the 6th week, the chickens fed 14 and 16 g kg-1 of TP had significantly higher IBDV-specific antibody titers than the positive controls (p≤0.05). The TP had no significant (p≥0.05) effect on the relative weights of the thymus, bursa or spleen at 21 or 42 days of age. The additions of TP to the diet failed to significantly improve the performance indicators or the immune responses of broiler chickens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f) on the performance and immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 288, 1 day old broiler chickens were grown over a 42 days period. The chickens were weighed individually and randomly assigned to seven treatments. The chickens in group 1 and 2 (positive and negative control groups, respectively) were fed starter and finisher diets without star anise. The chickens undergoing treatments 3-7 were fed the control starter and finisher
diets supplemented with 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 g of Chinese star anise per kg of diet, respectively. The weekly body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratios were measured and the immune responses against the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), the Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) and the Infectious Bronchitis
Virus (IBV) were evaluated. The relative weights of the lymphoid organs (thymus, bursa and spleen) were calculated as a percentage of the live body weight. The groups fed the diet supplemented with 1 or 2 g of star anise/kg of diet exhibited significant improvements (p≤0.05) in their body weight, daily weight gain and feed
conversion ratio. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in their feed intake. The results showed that broiler chickens fed the diet supplemented with 6 g kg-1 had higher antibody titers against NDV and IBV whereas the chickens fed the diet containing 1 g kg-1 had the highest antibody titers against IBDV. No significant changes in the relative weights of the lymphoid organs were detected. These results indicate that Chinese star anise could be used as a natural additive to improve the immune responsiveness and performance of broiler chickens.